Update and Attitude going forward

Approaching my final treatment... yes, it's true!

As of late December, I will be finished with chemo and the life-saving poison will start to clear out of my body. What does that mean? Well, I should start getting more of my energy back, lose some of my brain fog, lose some of the joint soreness that's been ever-present for the last few months.

One of the things that have been on hold during this past 18 months was Brad and my consulting work. We haven't done a workshop since before I was diagnosed and we are gearing up for one with some friends/former colleagues at MSU and we couldn't be more excited. Last night, we also reconnected with an entrepreneur whom we worked with a few years ago about some potential coaching work with him and his team. We were so energized after that call. Don't get me wrong, we both love and value our day jobs, but this work fuels us in a totally different way.

Attitude and Therapy

Last week, during my therapy session, I was saying that I had an MRI coming up but that they don't really worry me like I hear others voice anxiety about scans. I just assume everything will be fine and stable. Then I said maybe I should be more worried. In true therapist fashion, she said, why do you say that? And I told her that friends with the similar diagnosess seem to have anxiety about them. She said, what do you think worrying about them would do for you (or something like that)? I said that it would do nothing. Through this whole process, I have not googled things, and just planned to worry if the doctors told me to worry. I realistically have no reason to worry, so why saddle myself with that? However, the same could be said for seizures and I still worry about those.

Speaking of concern about seizures, I have started practicing driving around the neighborhood when Brad is with me. I still don't feel comfortable driving alone. My neurologist originally said 6 months from when I last had a seizure where I lost consciousness, which was over a year ago, so technically, I'm good to go, but it's more about my comfort level.

Health Update

My chemo schedule got a bit derailed last month due to a low platelet count. They are supposed to be over 100 to be ready for chemo - and mine were at 63. One more week and I was ready to go. This week my white blood count was quite low, which makes me more susceptible to illness or a bug, so I'm sadly not going to tonight's Men's Basketball game. I would love to go, but in my job, it's tough to turn down hugs and handshakes, so best to stay home this time.

My last Chemo Treatment will start onNovember 26th, yes, Thanksgiving, but I take it before bed and we'll be home. Or if my counts are down, I'll take it starting December 6th, when we get home from visiting Mia and Matt in Kansas.

Going Forward - the new plan after chemo

MRIs - I will still getting brain MRIs every 2-3 months

Avastin - I will still be getting infusions ever 2-3 months. If you are new here: Avastin is a tumor-starving (anti-angiogenic) therapy. The purpose of Avastin is to prevent the growth of new blood vessels. This includes normal blood vessels and blood vessels that feed tumors.

Our diet and lifestyle - Brad and I are still thriving without meat and most dairy

(the occasional slice of Benny's - oops!), and no alcohol. Striving to keep stress and cortisol at bay. Though the stress part is difficult as we get back into our offices and everyone seems to be conducting business as usual. We really strive to eat mostly unprocessed foods, consisting largely of beans/lentils, vegetables, fruits, nuts and the occasional nondairy ice cream and impossiburgers. We also eat eggs from our truly free range, organically fed,happy chickens. (I'm currently watching them roam the back yard during my lunch.

Upcoming excitement

Visit to see Mia and Matt in Kansas around Thanksgiving

Visit to Ohio for Christmas with guest appearance by Mia - yay!

Christmas decorations going up this weekend!

Tigi coming from Atlanta and taking us to see Rent this weekend!